Do you teach Martial Arts?
from: Mike
At this time I am not teaching any martial arts, but studying whenever time permits. When I was in my teens, I used to help teach in my parents’ school, and for a couple of years, when I was in my early twenties, I had a few friends who were private students. I really enjoy teaching and would like to do it again in the future.
What does your workout consist of?
from: Edgar
My daily workouts vary. When I’m working a twelve- to fourteen-hour day, I usually don’t have a lot of time to sweat for an ideal two to three hours. I have to be content with push-ups, leg-lifts, crunches and handstands — things I can do in my hotel room without needing equipment. I try to stretch before and after work. On the set, I can usually find something I can hang from to do pull-ups and leg-lifts on. When I’m not working, I try to see my Kung Fu teacher three to four times a week. On the other days, I like to tumble or run or surf. I need to do something every day. Even on my rest day, I like to at least do a stomach exercise.
Do you need to be on a special diet to stay in shape?
from: Angela
When I’m working on a film, I try to eat as healthy as possible. Sometimes the character’s life dictates whether I need to be a little thinner or heavier than I am normally, so I’ll tailor my diet and make my workout appropriately. In “Only the Strong,” I played an ex-special forces soldier who teaches some high school kids the benefits of Capoeira. The director wanted me bulkier than I normally am, so the producers hired a body-building coach (my friend Ev Carreon) to train me for a few months prior to filming. I was on a special diet and gained a good seven to ten pounds for the movie. In “Double Dragon,” which we filmed about six months after “Only The Strong,” I dropped the weight I had gained and intentionally lost an additional seven to ten pounds for the role. I played a teenager in the twenty-first century, and the character didn’t have the luxury of an endless food supply.
Is martial arts as important to you as acting?
from: My Name
Martial arts is just a part of me. It has always been a part of my life and I’ll work hard to keep it that way. There have been times when I’ve hardly trained. There have been a few times when I’ve needed to take a break and practice other things. But if I’m honest with myself, there’s never been a time that I’ve thought that I’d stop altogether. I was blessed with having three parents, two of which are, in my humble opinion, amazing martial artists (Sifu Al Dacascos and Malia Bernal). I’d like to someday teach and share some of the things they taught and shared with me. Having been their student, and learning about hard work and dedication at an early age really helped prepare me for my life as an actor. The mental and spiritual aspects have helped me as much as the physical training. Actually, I think they’ve been more important. Thanks, Mom and Pop!
I had read a review of “Drive” somewhere… the author was very impressed with your martial art skills. He mentioned what impressed him the most was that you were not wearing a wire while doing all the flips. I had never even given this a thought, having seen you do live demos. So my question is, what wire is he talking about, and how does it apply to doing flips? Is it “usual” for martial artists to use it during stunts, or is it an aid to help them flip higher?
from: Leigh-Ann
First of all, I thank you for coming to watch me perform live. It means a lot to me to be able to meet the people who make my career possible. It’s also important to me to let the fans know that although I am an actor, I am also a student of martial arts, and a former “tumbler,” and that I am able to perform jumps and flips myself. The reason that wires or cables are sometimes used is to keep the actor or stuntperson safe when a dangerous stunt is being performed, or to enhance the particular jump or move by giving extra “float” time. In my humble opinion, cables are really cool if used in context of the movie (”The Matrix”), or in a subtle manner.
Do you practice martial arts every day, and with whom do you train?
from: Jack
When I am in between projects, I love to practice martial arts. I am presently taking Tai Chi and Wu Shu classes on the weekends. My teacher of the last six years is Professor Jiang Hao-Quan. He is originally from China, and now resides in California. I also have a boxing (Western boxing) coach, Gerald Teague. I started training with him about a year and a half ago, and he’s really helped my “inside” sparring. My father said I needed to work on my hands, so I am. I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful teachers in my life. All of the teachers I’ve studied under are, to me, still my teachers… even if I don’t physically get to train with them anymore. They made profound impressions on me and I will always be grateful to them for the times we shared.
Chronologically, my first two teachers were my parents, Al Dacascos and my stepmom, Malia Bernal. Their style, developed by my pop, was — and still is — “Wun Hop Kuen Do.” I’ll tell you more about them and their style in a different section. My third teacher was Sifu Muo-Hui Shen, of Taiwan. He taught Northern Shaolin and Black Tiger. My fourth teacher was Joselito “Amen” Santo, from Brasil. He teaches Capoeira in Santa Monica, California. Amen worked on the movie “Only the Strong” as an actor, fight choreographer, teacher, coach, and musician for the soundtrack. Professor Jiang Hao-Quan was my fifth teacher. He’s 83 years old and can still do the splits! Gerald Teague is my sixth teacher, and I’m enjoying our classes immensely.
Why not test for 4th degree?
from: Carla
Only the Strong Just because I’ve had different teachers doesn’t mean I’ve mastered, or think I’ve mastered, everything they’ve taught me. Nor do I think I ever will. But as long as I can, I will train to do, and be, the best I can. Training with different instructors in different styles has taught me to respect and appreciate the differences and similarities. And I’m talking about cultures as well as martial arts. When I became competent in the basics of Wun Hop Kuen Do, my parents encouraged me to train in other styles. But it took me over ten years to get competent at the basics, and I’m still training to be more than just competent! It was never important for me to train for a color of a belt. I’ve just always had fun just training and learning. My first training partner, and my friend for the most years, is Emanuel Bettencourt of Hamburg, Germany (who now has his own sport school, called Taiyo Sport Center). When we were growing up, we would train for four to six hours a day… sometimes seven days a week! School and Kung Fu, that’s all we did. Oh, and watch Jackie Chan films. The reason Emanuel and I tested for higher ranks was because we liked to compete in tournaments. It would not have been fair to compete against students with a lot less experience. If it hadn’t been for tournaments, Emanuel and I might still have white belts…. happily.
I’ve noticed something strange about “Mani”… were there special photos taken for the press??? It’s about the make-up of Mark in the movie… In the French press, we have different photos of “Mani,” and… the symbols change… one time they were on the right hand of Mark’s breast; in another… they were on the left hand… In the movie, they were always on the left hand of Mark’s breast… What do you think of that?
from: Isabelle
The reason some of the pictures have my tattoos on the opposite side is that sometimes the newspapers or magazines flip the “slides” or “negatives” to the other side for a better composition. In the movie, my tattoos are permanent tattoos, and they stay on my “left” shoulder and chest.
I swear in “Drive,” Mark’s wearing BLACK Nike trainers when he’s fighting in the dusty quarry site… Then later, when he’s in the Apollo 14 club, and drops the mic to stare at Masayo, he’s wearing WHITE Nike trainers… I’ve seen the director’s cut now about 19 times, and I only noticed this the other day. Please tell me he changes trainers at some point!
from: Souxie
As far as I can remember, I only wore Nike’s that were spray-painted black, and another pair of black sport shoes for the opening fight on the ship. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
Is that your voice speaking as “Mani?”
from: Nouara
The voice of “Mani,” in the French film “Le Pacte des Loups,” is in fact MY voice. Our director, Christophe Gans, and I always intended the voice to be mine, and it is.
Did you enjoy working with Rutger Hauer?
from: Peter
We filmed “Redline” in Budapest, Hungary. Although it was extremely cold, the city was beautiful and the people were great. I played the villain to Rutger Hauer’s hero. “Bladerunner” is in my private video collection, and I’ve been a fan of Rutger Hauer’s for a while. It was an honor and fun to work with him.
How long did you study Capoeira for “Only the Strong”?
from: Jack
I had studied Capoeira for only two months prior to auditioning for the role in “Only the Strong.” After I got the part, I was able to train five more months before the filming. My Capoeira teacher is Amen Santo, who also played my teacher in the movie.
What was it like working with Marlon Brando?
from: Tom
A couple of years ago, I also had the honor and pleasure to work with Marlon Brando. The movie was “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” and I played his half-leopard/half-son named “Lo-Mai.” We shot in Cairns, Australia, and I had a great time in spite of the four hours-a-day prosthetic and make-up job. Marlon Brando was quite nice, with a good sense of humor. He pet the dogs on the set a lot. The real ones, that is.
Did you really break the arrow in “Redemption”?
from: Raelene
Yes, I really did break the arrow against my neck in “Redemption.” My father can break a spear and six arrows at the same time. He taught me the technique many, many years ago. I’ve never tried a spear, but I’m decent with arrows and those hard, plastic chopsticks used in Chinese restaurants.
What year were you on “General Hospital,” and what was the name of your character?
from: Raelene
I was on “General Hospital” around 1985-1986. I was categorized as an “under 5,” which meant a character who spoke five lines or less per show. It was my first television show, and I had a lot of fun. That’s where James Lew and I met for the first time in person. I had known about him for years before. I had his “Stretching and Kicking” book, and had seen him in tournaments, but never had the pleasure of meeting him until then. James and I were cast as members of this Asian gang called the “Green Shirts.” I think my name was “Chung.” Tia Carrere was one of the stars of the storyline James and I were a part of.
How is it to work with The Crow birds, Oreo and Cookie?
from: Jenny
I had a good time working with Oreo and Cookie. Dave Souza (the birds’ trainer) and Shelly (his assistant on the “Crow” series) made me feel as comfortable as possible. I think they did a fantastic job working with their birds. Oreo and Cookie hit their marks and always gave interesting performances. I think it was Oreo who “pooped” on my head the first day of rehearsal. At least it wasn’t on camera! In our “Cast and Crew Blooper Reel,” there are some takes of the crows landing on my head. Quite funny, actually.
Do you like birds?
from: Jenny
I like birds. I just don’t know much about them. My biological mom, Moriko, loves birds and had some living with her a while back. At her house in Hawaii, there are always birds eating from her bird feeder. They seem to talk to her. It’s pretty cool.
Of the characters you’ve played, which are your favorites?
from: Isabelle
I feel really lucky because I’ve enjoyed all the roles I’ve played… some more than others, but I do feel I’ve needed each and every part to get me where I am right now. And I mean as a human being as well as an actor. Every character has shown me life from a different perspective. Every role has taught me something else about myself. I feel as if I grow as an artist and as a human being with every role. The growth is due to the “off camera” life as much as the “acting”… again, sometimes even more. As for my favorite roles, they are: “Kenjiro” (American Samurai), “Louis Stevens”" (Only the Strong), “Toby Wong” (Drive), “Yo Hinomura” (Crying Freeman), “Jesse Page” (Boogie Boy), and “Eric Draven” (The Crow: Stairway to Heaven).
Has the Crow character inspired you?
from: Isabelle
“Eric Draven” has inspired me to love, love and love. Life goes by so fast. You have to appreciate it. You have to understand that everything and everybody is somehow, in some way… connected. It’s easy to forget. Eric is reminded every day of his death.
